# Cruz, Tillis and Haley Break With Trump Over Russia Sanctions Waiver as Fuel Prices Drive the Decision

Republican senators call the waiver of tariffs and sanctions under the Graham Act a mistake. Trump says it is in the national interest and good for the world.

- Section: [Economy](https://rightnewsrightnow.com/economy/)
- Published: 2026-10-19
- By: RightNewsRightNow Staff
- Canonical page: https://rightnewsrightnow.com/articles/russia-sanctions-waiver-backlash-cruz-tillis-haley/

President Trump's decision to waive Russia sanctions is drawing criticism from his own party, and the argument is about both foreign policy and what Americans pay at the pump.

Trump signed an executive order Friday waiving key Russia-related sanctions and tariffs under the Graham Act, which he signed into law last month. Fox Business says the law authorized tariffs of up to 100% on certain goods from major buyers of Russian oil and gas. The order says the waiver is in the "national interests of the United States." It does not affect certain sanctions imposed under earlier executive orders.

The pushback from Republicans:

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, told Fox News on Saturday: "I wish the president hadn't done it. I think it was a mistake." He said Trump was likely focused on rising diesel and gasoline prices, and when asked whether he would tell Trump not to waive the sanctions, he said, "I would, yes."

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., called it "beyond irresponsible" and asked, "What part of enforcing a law passed 86-11 by the Senate does the President and his advisors not understand?"

Nikki Haley, the former U.N. ambassador, wrote that it is "a terrible misjudgment of Putin" and a "history-defining" moment. Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., who succeeded her late brother, said she would "keep the pressure on Russia."

Democrats and Ukraine. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who helped draft the law, said the waivers "have nothing to do with our national security." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote that undoing the sanctions "definitely helps only the Russians."

Trump's answer. He told reporters Saturday it is "a very good decision, and it's going to be a decision that's good for the country, and I think good for the world." Fox Business ties the move to a recent deal with Putin under which Russia would eventually release millions of tons of diesel into world markets, amid prices that Republicans want lower before the November midterms.

What is not settled. The article does not say how much the diesel deal would lower prices or when, and it does not report a White House response to the senators beyond Trump's remarks.

## Source

Original reporting: [Fox Business](https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/trump-faces-bipartisan-backlash-over-russia-sanctions-waiver-causing-top-republicans-break-ranks)